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The Soil Association has just announced the creation of a new common EU-wide standard for organic health and beauty. This is a landmark move in the industury. Previously in Europe, health and beauty brands did not require organic certification before retailing their products as such, a regulation that was reserved specifically for food and drink.

The new COSMOS-standard can be used and applied for by all certification bodies starting 30 September 2009 and was created with the participation of all 6 European organic certification organisations (including The Soil Association, BDIH (Germany), BIOFORUM (Belgium), COSMEBIO & ECOCERT (France), and ICEA (Italy)) and also covers regulation of 'natural' cosmetics, which has never been done before. There is a 3-year transition period for brands that need to change labels and formulas, and any new brands will have to adhere to new regulations effective immediately.